Friday 22 July 2022

Full-time ratings v Orlando

What a difference a signing makes, especially with the qualities of Gabriel Jesus! The former Man City added zip to the whole team or maybe it was the other four changes.

Turner 7 - kept a clean sheet and looked solid.

White 7 - snappy passing and brought Pepe into the game. He may well start the season at right back, as Tomiyasu still remains crocked.

Holding 6 - a similar showing to the first half.
(Saliba 7 - excellent with his feet and his positioning when up against Michel, especially. Strong, fast, cool, calm and collected, so Arsenal need to get him to sign a longer-term deal as soon as possible.)

Gabriel 6 - more switched on than Mari.

Tavares 7 - looked more assured in the second half, but skied a couple of long-range efforts. It's good that he has the confidence to try things out, especially as Zinchenko's imminent arrival may push him down the pecking order.
(Bellerin - 6 minutes isn't really enough to stake a claim, but tried his best on the left.)

Pepe 7 - should have won a penalty, but the officiating let him down.
(Saka 7 - cheered when he came on and beat his man convincingly almost immediately, which highlighted what Pepe had struggled to do for 60 minutes. Registered an assist and nearly scored himself from close range against 'The Octopus' in Orlando's goal.)

Odegaard 7 - provided some incisive passes and helped out defensively.

Elneny 7 - started the second period promisingly.
(Partey 6- looked rusty at times, but hit the target with a dipping free kick.)

Lokonga 7 - brighter in the second half and had a shot on target.
(Xhaka 7 - feeling the love of the fans at last and deserves it, as he's not surrendering possession easily nowadays. He also went close with a free kick.)

Gabriel 8 - getting hacked away at by opponents, mainly because he's such a handful. Inadvertently set up Nketiah for Arsenal's second.

Nketiah 7 - looked sharp overall and was clinical in front of goal. A five-year and the number 14 shirt seemed to be working wonders.
(Nelson 7 - with only 15 minutes or so to stake a claim, he did particularly well to score with a volley from Saka's cross. He nearly added to it with a powerful shot from a free kick.)

It's Chelsea next for Arsenal in the Florida Cup series.

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